Bible Studies
They Separated Themselves from the Nations (Ezra 6:19-22)
Series: Studies In EzraIntroduction:
1. The exiles have returned to the land of Israel. They have rebuilt the house of God. 2. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Haggai and Zechariah they have finished the work and dedicated it. They have followed the instructions written in the book of Moses. 3. It is time now that they observe the Passover also known as the Feast of Unleavened Bread.a. It marked the beginning of the Jewish year.
b. It began on the 14th day of the month (Nisan, April).
c. It was a seven-day feast.
d. It commemorated the final plague in Egypt in which the first-born of the Egyptians died, but the Israelites were spared by the blood on the doorpost (Ex. 12:11, 21, 27, 43, 48). It reminds us of the separation that existed between the Egyptians and the Israelites, the special people of God. God’s message to Pharaoh was, “Let My people go.” They were separated apart from the Egyptians by the sacrificial blood on the doorposts and the lintels of their houses. The blood of the Passover lamb saved them from death.
4. Approximately 925 years have passed. They have been unfaithful to God, exiled from their land and now they have returned. It is a time of a new beginning. 5. But to celebrate the Passover one must be separated apart.a. Those who had returned from the exile had done this.
b. Others from Israel, descendants of those left in the land that did not go to Babylon had not. The question faced them: “Would they be numbered with the people of God or not?”
c. A similar question faces each of us. Captured in our sin will we be numbered among the people of God or not? Will we be separated apart as the people of God passed over by the death angel or die with the nations?
Discussion:
I. The exiles had distinguished themselves from the “people of the land” (4:4).A. When they returned to rebuild the temple the “people of the land” wanted to help them.
B. The exiles said, “You have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God” (4:3).
C. These “people of the land” were those known as Samaritans in N.T. days.
1. They were those resettled in Israel who were from foreign lands conquered by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:24ff).
2. They were idolaters who had integrated the idolatry of Babylon and their other native lands in with the worship typically associated with the northern kingdom. Jereboam had built idols in Dan and Bethel. It was a polytheistic form of religion. Where the true God was merely accepted as another among many.
II. There were people descended from Israel that had been left in the land at the time of the exile of the southern kingdom (Jer. 39:10, and chapters 40 and 41).A. Now that the exiles have returned and rebuilt the temple what would these do? Would they remain among the “nations of the land” or would they associate themselves with the people of God?
B. This first celebration of the Passover called for them to make a decision.
1. It was a challenging decision.
2. If they continued as they were they would be like the Egyptians.
3. If they chose to be numbered with the people of God it meant separation from the impurity of the nations.
III. Ezra chapters 9 and 10 and Nehemiah chapters 8, 9 and 10 reveal what the separation meant. Ezra 9 and 10 address what happened surround the Passover celebration. Nehemiah chapters 8, 9 and 10 address what happened followinga celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles at which the Law had been read.A. Ezra 9-10 take place after the dedication of the temple.
1. The first group returned from captivity under the leadership of Zerubbabel. This is dated in 536 B.C.
2. The rebuilding of the temple is dated 520-516 B.C.
3. A second group returned from captivity under the leadership of Ezra in 458 B.C.
4. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt by Nehemiah. The accepted date is 444 B.C.
B. Some years have passed between the celebrations described, but the character and the necessity of separation from the nations is the same.
C. It should be recognized that separation from the nations was not practiced because Jews were a superior race. The separation was not racially motivated. It was motivated by their special relationship to God. It was not motivated by their perception that they were more righteous than the nations. Indeed the Passover was about blood being shed for their sins. The Passover, the Temple, the Covenant were about relationship—God’s special relationship with them and their special relationship with Him.
D. Mixed marriages were a problem (Ezra 9:1-4; Neh. 13:23ff).
1. Such marriages were forbidden because of the influence they had to turn people away from serving the Lord (Deut. 7:1-6).
2. The Israelites left in the land at the time of the exile had intermarried with the nations. Now, if they are to observe the Passover “they must separate themselves from the impurity of the nations” (Ezra 6:21).
3. I cannot begin to imagine how difficult this must have been (Neh. 13:23ff).
a. Husbands and wives torn.
b. Parents and children torn.
4. Relationship with the Lord is first priority.
5. The people confessed their sin (Ezra 9:5ff).
6. They made a covenant with God to “put away all the wives and their children (Ezra 10:1-4).
7. They “trembled at the commandment of God” (Ezra 10:3).
8. This matter was not just about mixed marriages. It was about devotion to God. Mixed marriages was just one area in which separation from the nations is illustrated. The separation involved their ethics, their finances, their worship, their families and every area of life. All must come under the control of God.
E. Every area of our life must come under the control of the Lord.
1. When we confess Jesus as Lord… when we die to self in baptism… when we enter into covenant relationship with Him we give complete and absolute control to Him. There should be a “counting of the cost” before making the commitment. This relationship defines the people of God (church).
2. This is the background of 2 Cor. 6:14-18.
3. This is the background for 1 Cor. 5:6-13.
4. We must come out and be separate—not because we are better than… not because we are more righteous than… but because we have a special relationship with our God (1 Pet. 1:14-15; 2:9-10).
Conclusion:
1. Have you separated yourself from the nations? Have you committed yourself to God? 2. Before you do count the cost! 3. Many want the lavish blessings associated with being the people of God, but not so many are willing to separate themselves from the nations. 4. When you marry Him you must give up all others!
